Even more exciting, most recycling facilities that currently process regular HDPE (high-density polyethylene) plastics will be able to accept PlantBottles, so people will be able to recycle them the same way they do regular plastic bottles. (Although there's no word yet on whether or not the PlantBottle will be prone to the same issues with "downcycling" that plague other plastics.) Odwalla estimates that use of the new plant-based packaging will save up to the equivalent of 400,000 gallons of gas annually, compared with the petroleum-based plastic bottles it (and just about every other bottled drink company) now uses. The PlantBottle is also expected to have the same shelf life, weight, composition and appearance as conventional petroleum-based plastic.

The company is proud of other steps it has already taken to be green, like its Plant A Tree Program, which it says has planted more than 300,000 trees in three years. Now, Odwalla President Alison Lewis said, "Plants do such a good job of making our juice, Odwalla hired them to help make our bottles."